Decorating with Christmas quilts

As a quilter with a long history, I have created and accumulated many seasonal quilts over the years. My Christmas collection is by far the largest, and probably includes many of my favorites. Difficult to miss the mark with the red and green color scheme, after all.

Small stocking hung from a lamp

Many of these quilts are small. Sometimes these were class samples, sometimes something made in the harried days of December amidst all the other festivities. When uninformed individuals (usually non-quilters) see my small quilts, they often ask what I do with them. I guess for most people, a quilt is large and found only on a bed. If it is NOT big, it is a crib quilt, and found around or under a baby.

Each December 1st or earlier, I get out my wonderful red-and-greens and incorporate them into my holiday decor. Many are Christmas subject quilts, but some are just fun two-color quilts. These can be used on the wall, behind figurines, under lamps, on the piano, as focal point singles, or grouped in a wall-filling vignette.

Each year the arrangements are somewhat the same as the previous year, but always a little different. Usually there is at least one new quilt that can be used, or one missing because it was given away. Here are some pictures of how they were arranged last year in my home, just to get your own imagination and excitement going.

A Snail's Trail behind a collection of 12 Days figurines. 

A Pinecone variation (this one is made of wool fabrics) behind a Willow Tree creche.

Log Cabin quilt under the poinsettia. Poinsettia quilt on-point on the wall. Large quilts folded over the banister. Mini quilt on a stand on the floor.

At right: Quilted sleeve on a tiny pillow with other figures and ornaments. Folded quilt with pillows on the sofa.

Mini quilt on towel stand.

Card holder quilt on door. Mini quilts on cabinet.

Quilts on walls. Pillow in chair.
Tree skirt, stockings can also be seen.

Runner on chest top.

Two tiny elves.

Extra: fabric card art. 

Hope you have enjoyed my Christmas quilts!

Happy Holiday quilting!

View My Spring 2012 One-Woman Quilt Show

A One-Woman Quilt Show in March 2012

In the Spring of 2012, I was invited by the Utah Quilt Guild to prepare and mount a one-woman quilt show to hang for the month of March in the Deseret Hospital (historic recreation) building on the campus of This Is The Place State Park. March is the month the LDS Church celebrates the birthday of the Relief Society Organization, and the Park has for several years held special public events. The quilt show and a lecture day were planned as part of this celebration.

Quilts hang over the stairwell surround

It is always fun to collect my quilts together, then plan a display. I am  invigorated to think of more projects when I see almost the entire collection that I still have access to. The Guild supplied volunteers to help put the quilt show up and then drop it, along with the guidance and assistance of the Guild liaison Lisa Wegener who is a long-time quilting friend of mine (and a former docent at the LDS Museum of Art). 

Flower Block monthly quilts plus cover quilt for Quilt World

Here are photos of the display. The quilts were hung in the two upstairs galleries which have wonderfully high ceilings and a relatively good amount of lighting in a historic building. FYI, the recreation of the early hospital facility for the Salt Lake Valley pioneer settlers is on the first floor. 

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A fabric-covered cork board shows Christmas collection

"Veiled & Revealed" art quilt with parables theme

Some of the LDS pattern models

It was gratifying to hear generous comments of those seeing the display. One evening I was even blessed enough to attend the tour with a group of friends from the South Jordan 9th Ward. Being there with friends made it extra special.

"Aspire!" quilt, nearby pieces, framed photos of comp quilts

A group of storybook quilts

Three blue quilts - my favorite hue!

Englebreit panel quilt, original Christmas stars

There were a few other images, and many other quilts, but this is a representative sampling. 

Glad to share the fun that I experienced during the event.

Hope you have enjoyed viewing.